India Unlimited, the ambitious programme to showcase the potential for further ties between India and Sweden, on Thursday enters a week for foodies and film buffs, while Scania leads the charge for business seminars during "India+Sweden Week" from April 22nd-28th.

As Indian chefs show off the regional diversity of their country's cuisine at the Clarion Hotel in Skanstull, Bollywood gets to rub shoulders with Tollywood and Collywood - more than thirty films are running at the beautiful Saga cinema in central Stockholm.

Liv-Ingemar, an Indian-born, London-based filmmaker's oeuvre about Swedish director Ingemar Bergman, is a case in point of the cultural and business ties possible today.

"Unlimited is the word that leaps to mind when one thinks of the possibilities and mutual benefits of bringing together Indian tradition of entrepreneurship and Sweden's spirit of innovation," says the Ambassador of India to Sweden & Latvia, Her Excellency Mrs Banashri Bose Harrison.

There is already a 40,000-strong Indian diaspora in Scandinavia, the embassy notes, with much potential to promote further ties.

Let's not forget that India and Sweden are both stylish places, which unlocks even further trade potential, with India an emerging consumer powerhouse.

"India's diverse consumer market can benefit from Sweden's originality and design," points out Bose Harrison. The business event running parallel to the film festival Cinema Indien offers a roster of eminent speakers.

Dr. Arun Maira, member of the Planning Commission India, is the keynote speaker.

Sweden's parliamentary group leader for the ruling Moderate Party, Anna Kinberg Batra, will be in attendance at the official April 23rd inauguration of "India+Sweden Week", as will the managing director of Swedish industrial giant Scania India, Anders Grundströmer.

But the foods on offer aren't just for VIPs, as many dishes will be replicated during the week by guest chefs at the Clarion Hotel for anyone who wants to stop by for a taste.

Indian food fest at the Clarion. Photo: India Unlimited

Other guests whom the embassy are delighted to welcome at the inauguration include Håkan Kingsted from the Sweden India Business Council, and high-level representative for the Confederation of Indian Industry, Deepak Premnarayen, who is part of the Indian delegation to Stockholm.

Two important studies will be released at the event at Clarion Hotel on Ringvägen 98 – one on "Accelerating Economic Engagement between India and Nordic Region" and a "Survey on Business Climate in India for Swedish companies".

The possibilities for Sweden and India to do more business together are, the ambassador says, unlimited. Highlights of the three-day business conference include sessions:

R & D and Technology, and IT & Security on April 23rd
Future Healthcare and Sustainable Infrastructure on April 24th
Redesigning India and Innovation on April 25th

A list of all speakers, the inauguration programme, full details of the business programme, and all other parallel running events of India Unlimited can be found on IndiaUnlimited.se, the official website.

"All the partners in India Unlimited share the common belief that we are not even tapping 10 percent of the potential of India-Sweden collaboration," says the Indian ambassador.

And last, but not least, India wants to welcome more Swedish visitors.

"We are sure that Swedes, with their love of nature, would be charmed by India's undiscovered destinations," concludes Bose Harrison.

Please attend tonight's inauguration and most of the events free of charge by registering your interest here. Selected events will continue through May and June.

This article was produced by the Local and sponsored by the Embassy of India in Stockholm.

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